I haven't been able to figure out the answer to this question - is my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 a POS or a DSLR? It can't take other lenses and I'm trying to figure out if that's the distinguishing difference between a POS and a DSLR. Thanks in advance for the answer I know I'll find here. I love my Lumix but I miss using my old Minolta 35mm with it's lenses.
I have the F35. I refer to it as a "bridge" camera. It can do anything a DSLR can do except have a different lens. IF you're experimenting with it and tying manual settings, then it's a bridge, If you keep it in Auto, it's a P&S. :-) IMHO :-D
It's a Point an Shoot. A DSLR is a Digitale Single Lens Reflex camera. It needs to have a mirror in the lens. And that won't fit in a P&S...
It also doesn't fit in a bridge camera such as the Olympus Pen or the Sony Nex. Those do have changeable lenses but aren't a DSLR.
But you have almost all the options in a P&S, you need many lenses to get that in a DSLR. A P&S is smaller because you don't have a mirror.
@geertje It's pretty big - you know - not one of those little fit in your pocket deals. @5unflow3r - that makes sense to me and fits with the research I've done online trying to figure out the answer to this question. I'm thinking maybe it does have SLR but not the ability to take other lenses.
technically its a hybrid or bridge camera, in effect it is a point and shoot with some features of a DSLR it is not an SLR though as In a traditional SLR, you view through the lens, via a prism and mirror which retracts when you snap off a shot (hence single lens reflex) the lumix replaces this with an electronic system
@5unflow3r Yes - I knew that's what you were getting at - "hybrid" captures the concept of how it works, though "bridge" fits the purpose it may fulfill. I feel so happy to have this answered. You have no idea how much time I've spent trying to figure this out.
@reba BTW, I LOVE my camera! Are you happy with it? Sometimes I think Oh, I really want a DSLR, but the expense..yikes! And I love macro, and then I see how I could eek out a bit more detail with changeable lenses...but that's not really a reason to spend all of that money.
Going to try RAW and HDR this week....so excoted! Waiting for my 16gb card to arrive in the mail.
@5unflow3r Yeah - I do love it - and run into the same kind of thoughts you do re: wouldn't it be great to really do macro? and zoom in from a great distance. RAW and HDR are both on my lists. Just signed up for a 6 week course on PSE9 - it's not that user friendly and I'm tired of trying it with 5 books opened in front of me around my computer. Thanks for your help on my big question of the day.
@reba I see your question has been answered....I have the DMC-ZS1 which I guess is the hybrid or maybe just P&S. I also have the DMC-G10, which is a DSLR. (And also my smartphone camera.) I think you would enjoy the DSLR, but yes, lenses can be spendy, and it's often more work when trying to set up, determine which lens to use. Sometimes, I get much better results with the DMC-ZS1, perhaps because I'm more comfortable with it. I have so much to learn just about the operation of BOTH cameras, etc. The opportunity to borrow some very nice Canon lenses really gave me an indication of how limiting the the P&S or hybrid are.....
of course, now I am trying to budget for those lenses...
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It also doesn't fit in a bridge camera such as the Olympus Pen or the Sony Nex. Those do have changeable lenses but aren't a DSLR.
But you have almost all the options in a P&S, you need many lenses to get that in a DSLR. A P&S is smaller because you don't have a mirror.
Going to try RAW and HDR this week....so excoted! Waiting for my 16gb card to arrive in the mail.
of course, now I am trying to budget for those lenses...